Allow access for a set duration
I want to be able to allow access (global or per category) for a given duration of time (X h Y min, when Y can be in 15 min increments to simplify the UI).
Some example use cases:
- My child is done with homework and can now play games/watch youtube/etc. for the next 1h
- I want to watch Netflix on a shared device (TV) for the next 2h. Outside of those 2h I want internet access blocked on the device
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I also need this feature, along with the ability to reward groups with extra time (as per Circle). I've just installed my Gold and unplugged the Circle and am very disappointed that there is no sign of setting quotas for groups of devices.
I'm hoping this is on the upcoming list or there is a way to run the circle alongside the Gold. Unfortunately I do not think I can run Gold in router mode yet as there is no support for load balancing and I have 2 internet connections.
I'm really hoping that my previous combination of UniFi+USG + Circle can be improved with the gold somehow in the not too distant future, until then I suspect the gold may be powered down :-( -
I use a combination of the Gold and Microsoft Family features to limit access for my kids. Android has a similar Family link/app for their devices as well. On a side note all my kid's devices are under the Gold's VPN Client for extra protection.
With Gold I block certain domains until 2PM, when they are done with school and should be done with homework. If they are done with homework before 2PM, well then they will have to do some other non-computer activity, like talk to each other and play board games or something.
Then with Microsoft Family I limit their computer time use, the apps they use, how long they could use the app, etc. When that time runs out in 2 hour increments, they get a Windows pop up requesting more time from their parents if they are their physically or they click a button to request more time. If I am home, I may physically go to their computer or if I am not available, then I just click on the email/app notification, and give them more time.
The catch is that before I give them more time I make sure I talk to them and ask if their home is really done, ask them to clean their room, or give them some other mundane chore before I extend their time lol.
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Here each child has their own WiFi network which has schedules based around no WiFi when they should be sleeping or working. But during the allowed time it's good to persuade them to do different things on and off the internet. As such I use device limits such as iOS to limit the amount of time spent on particular apps etc. However being a household that uses devices from multiple vendors (Microsoft, Google and Apple) the children can move from one manufacturer's device to another to continue.
Thus I used Circle as a catch all to limit generic activities across devices eg 2 hours of video an hour of social platforms etc. Circle also works really well being able to reward extra time.
Anyway I am hoping to be able to replace Circle with Firewalla but at the moment I'll have to wait until such features are available. So It's now sadly back in it's shipping box waiting :-(
@Roland Certainly with you on the mundane task before a reward of extras ;-)
I'd be happy to use Circle in conjunction with Firewalla leaving the activity quotas to circle if that was possible, but in time I hope that Firewalla start to offer this kind of functionality.
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